John Mara thinks Giants championship window is pretty wide

Posted by Josh Alper on January 24, 2013, 3:14 PM EDT

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Windows came up a lot with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones last offseason and now another NFC East owner is talking about them.

Giants owner John Mara said that he hasn’t “quite gotten over” the team’s failure to make the playoffs a year after winning the Super Bowl, but he doesn’t believe that this year’s disappointing result means there need to be drastic changes to the roster. Mara thinks that the team has a chance to win the title every year that they have Eli Manning at quarterback.

“He’s (32) years old; he’s got a lot of years left,” Mara said, via the Newark Star-Ledger. “I think our window is still pretty wide. I think as long as he’s under center, we have a chance to win.”

It’s the most important spot to fill on an NFL roster and the Giants have it filled with a guy who has won two championships already. And on an “any given Sunday” basis, the Giants have proven themselves capable of beating just about anyone. The goal for 2013 should be to replace the roller coaster rides to 9-7 with consistent efforts that enable them to sew up their playoff future well before the final weekend of the season.

Truth of the matter is that they won in 2007 with a 10-6 team and in 2011 with the only 9-7 team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. In a different year, neither of those teams even makes the playoffs. This guy should be thanking his lucky stars that he stole those two rings, not prancing around town like he’s got a perennial powerhouse with a “big window.”

steelerben says:Jan 24, 2013 3:26 PM

As long as Eli is under center and two out of three division rivals are hamstrung by cap penalties, the window is wide open.

Too bad RGIII is going to be a Redskin for the foreseeable future. Just mean the Giants and Mara can watch them in the playoffs every year until he is gone!! HTTR!!!

well you hope that RGIII stays healthy, if he is injured that they got a serious problem. Also Eli will play quite well in against RGIII if guys like Cruz, Hixon, Nicks, and others learn to catch balls. it takes two to tango a first down.

So wait a second. Eli is 32 and has a lot of years left, but Romo is 31 and the window is closing because he doesn’t have a lot of years left? Okay then.

I’m thinking having a decent O line would keep the ‘window’ open for quite a while.

No one ever said that Romo did not have a lot of years left. I think people were only questioning his style of play, and his constant whining like a baby. Both Eli and Romo have a lot of years left, but Eli has more talent. Romo has talent do not get me wrong, but not as much as Eli, especially when it comes to clutch games.

you said ‘The Mannings are both washed up. New York has NO window…neither the Jests or the JINTS.

Talk about having MANY years left…that’s Joe Flacco. He’ll be in Baltimore for the next TEN years…minimum.”

I agree with you on Peyton Manning being washed up and you are right about Joe Flacco having a lot of years left. However, Eli Manning is no where near washed up. He is young, strong, vibrant, intelligent, accurate, and a great passer. He will have many years left as will Flacco.

zaggs says:Jan 24, 2013 4:07 PM

The Giants are just maddening to watch. They laid waste to the 49ers for crying out loud and then blew the NFC East lead.

Well at least the Giants have the sense to go after superbowls with a their franchise QBs.

The Raiders chose to blow everything up and rebuild with their franchise QB. A QB that they gave up a 1st and 2nd rounder for by the way.

49erstim says:Jan 24, 2013 4:12 PM

This Giants team is a head scratcher. You look at their roster and see all that talent then you watch how inconsistently they play from week to week. Then you say “what wss that?” Sure they’re talented, but do they have the drive to be champions again?

LOL to the RGIII posts. Do you realize this guy just blew out his knee for the second time already and he is only a rookie? That guys career has an incredibly short shelf life unless he learns how to not get blown up every game. He’s taken more big hits in 1 year than most QB’s take in their full career. Plus his passing is subpar at best, he throws quick slants behind linebackers watching him run. If he doesn’t have his legs those WR aren’t open.

As a Giants fan I’m more worried about the Eagles and Cowboys for the next 5 years than the Redskins.

normaneinstein7 says:Jan 24, 2013 4:17 PM

Maybe, but after his various surgeries, his knees are 40.
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Dream on. While I don’t blame you for wanting this to be the case, RG3 will be a Cowboykiller for many, many years. After Romo retires or hits the mid-30’s, enjoy being basement dwellers for many years while you’re stuck in QB hell. Enjoy going through your Patrick Ramseys, Jason Campbells, Grossmans, and Becks.
On a positive note, you won’t be alone. I’m sure the Eagles will keep you company. Nick Foles at best will be a Kyle Orton.

I have to agree. Eli is still young. But as with everything in this world, there is no certainty outside of paying taxes. And this is definitely evident in the NFL with it’s very physical nature.

But I also love how the article is about what Mara said and posters who follow teams in the NFC EAST who have not seen them chase a SB championship in quite some time, manage to squeeze in their Cowboy or Griffin comment. Get over and face it, as uncertain as Eli’s career and the Giants playoff and championship future are, I would rather bank on them compared to a Rookie going into his second year and having as much surgery on his leg. Hilarious!!! We’ll see next year who’s in and who’s out.

of course hes right.. while eli might not be a perennial QB hes damn sure elite and can get the job done..all he has to do is make the playoffs which seems to be his struggle… eli has already cemented himself as best qb in NY ever doesnt matter the team. even if he doesnt win another SB hes got a lifetime pass here in NY

mazblast says:Jan 24, 2013 10:03 PM

Mara is like Woody Johnson in at least one respect. Each was born on 3rd base and thinks he hit a triple.

What precisely does John Mara know about football other than being Roger Goodell’s puppet master?

I’m a Lions fan and a niners fan, unless they’re playing the lions lol. For the most part this has been a great playoff season, with most games coming down to the wire, loved it! I must say i was scratching my head to see rg3 play that game, and then when he started limping i was shocked Shanahan didn’t pull him? I’m concerned i may have witnessed a career ending injury, but i don’t feel too bad cuz he already made more money than i ever will. So football or no football he should be set for life. That being said the Giants definately have a strong future with Eli at qb position. I believe Romo is overrated and will never win in Dallas. Everyone in the nfc should move fast if they’re gonna win a superbowl cuz within the next couple years the Lions will own the nfc! Mark my words

green41563 says:
Jan 24, 2013 3:23 PM
Truth of the matter is that they won in 2007 with a 10-6 team and in 2011 with the only 9-7 team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. In a different year, neither of those teams even makes the playoffs. This guy should be thanking his lucky stars that he stole those two rings, not prancing around town like he’s got a perennial powerhouse with a “big window.”

______________________________

Ya, stole a Superbowl by absolutely smashing the 1st seed in both playoff runs.

Beating the best QB of our time, twice to get those two rings.

Ya, we really got “lucky”.

kev86 says:Jan 25, 2013 2:40 PM

Eli beat an arrogant 18-0 team in the SB. beat them again for good measure in 2011. That alone makes him legendary. He and the Giants should be thanked more often.